Politics · Philippines Bureau
AMLC confidentiality rules not absolute, Philippine lawmaker argues
A House prosecutor from Bicol argues that Anti-Money Laundering Council confidentiality protections are not absolute, pointing out that the agency routinely discloses financial information to courts when seeking asset freeze orders.
LSN Philippines ·
MANILA — House prosecutor Terry Ridon of the Bicol party-list group said Saturday that confidentiality rules at the Anti-Money Laundering Council (AMLC) should not prevent the agency's records from being presented in Senate impeachment proceedings.
Ridon's remarks challenge arguments that AMLC confidentiality provisions create an absolute bar to disclosure. He pointed to the agency's existing practice of providing financial information to courts in support of freeze order applications as evidence that confidentiality is not an inviolable principle.
"The AMLC itself discloses financial information when seeking freeze orders," Ridon said, suggesting this practice undermines confidentiality arguments used to block legislative access to the records.
The statement adds to ongoing debate over the scope and application of AMLC confidentiality rules in high-profile cases under Senate investigation. The issue has become particularly significant as lawmakers push for greater transparency in financial investigations involving senior government officials.